County schools take care of their own for the holidays

Thursday

Dec 13, 2012 at 3:15 AM

Santa isn’t the only one busy this time of year. Henderson County schools have also been preparing for the holidays.

By JOEY MILLWOODTimes-News Staff Writer

Santa isn’t the only one busy this time of year. Henderson County schools have also been preparing for the holidays. School employees are ensuring that all of their students are taken care of during Christmas. Guidance counselors across the county sent letters home weeks ago asking if anyone needed assistance with the approaching holiday season. Leanne Mullen, a guidance counselor at Rugby Middle School, took over the school’s “backpack lunch program,” which sends home meals for students who may need food over the weekend. She has identified a list of 50 Rugby students who need assistance this holiday season and has been working on the “adopt a family” sponsorship program for the last month.The community has responded in force to Mullen’s request for help. Churches, law firms, businesses, teachers and, in some cases, entire classes have adopted children. “We just have a very supportive community in general,” Mullen said. Friday is the deadline for gifts to be turned in. The presents will be picked up by parents next week. The district’s schools do different things to help students and their families, Mullen said, adding that “This is just what works for us.” Etowah Elementary has a similar program, but gets help from local banks. Guidance counselor Emily Ingram identifies a list of students through the school’s backpack lunch program and then hands that list over to United Community Bank and Mountain First Bank in Etowah. The banks put boy and girl angels, protecting the identities of the children, on Christmas trees, and residents can select an angel with a wish list that needs filled. “It’s a whole community event,” Ingram said.On top of the angel tree adoption program, the Etowah Fire Department has donated 30 $100 Walmart gift cards to the school. Etowah Elementary also goes a step further. This year there are 109 children on the school’s list — including names of current students’ siblings who are past and present Etowah students. Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.